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Diverse knowledges and competing interests: An essay on socio-technical problem-solving

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Abstract

Solving complex socio-technical problems, this paper claims, involves diverse knowledges (cognitive diversity), competing interests (social diversity), and pragmatism. To explain this view, this paper first explores two different cases: Canadian pulp and paper mill pollution and siting nuclear reactors in seismically sensitive areas of California. Solving such socio-technically complex problems involves cognitive diversity as well as social diversity and pragmatism. Cognitive diversity requires one to not only recognize relevant knowledges but also to assess their validity. Finally, it is suggested, integrating the resultant set of diverse relevant and valid knowledges determines the parameters of the solution space for the problem.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Sudbury, Canada

    Vincent di Norcia

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  1. Vincent di Norcia
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Correspondence to Vincent di Norcia.

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The author is a Professor of Philosophy at The University of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

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di Norcia, V. Diverse knowledges and competing interests: An essay on socio-technical problem-solving. SCI ENG ETHICS 8, 83–98 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-002-0034-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-002-0034-1

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